MANCHESTER Magic returned to winning ways in the England Basketball first division with a 79-70 success over Essex and Herts Leopards.

And there was a double boost when title rivals Worthing Thunder went down to City of Sheffield Arrows.

American Terrell Ivory top-scored with 19 points and Andrew Lovedale hit 12 while there was a vital contribution from unsung Steve Boonham as Magic recovered from a slow start.

Jeff Jones' team are away at Worcester this weekend before entertaining Sheffield Arrows at the John Amaechi Centre on November 6. Tweet